Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated senior defence official Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi to become the country’s new defence minister, formally submitting his name to parliament for approval.
The nomination was submitted under Article 133 of Iran’s Constitution, which requires proposed ministers to secure a vote of confidence from parliament. Lawmakers are expected to review Akhlaghi’s programme and policies before scheduling the vote.
Akhlaghi is a veteran official within Iran’s defence establishment. He previously headed the Aerospace Industries Organisation and has held senior positions within the Defence Ministry. His professional background is closely associated with Iran’s aerospace and missile industries.
The Defence Ministry has operated under an acting minister since Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed in February. Majid Ebn-e-Reza, a former deputy defence minister, has overseen the ministry since March 2 while the government sought a permanent replacement.
Akhlaghi’s nomination is also notable because of his previous international sanctions history. The United Nations designated him in 2007 over his role in Iran’s missile programme, while the United States imposed sanctions on him in 2020. His name was subsequently included again on the UN sanctions list after earlier measures against Iran were reinstated in 2025.
If parliament approves his nomination, Akhlaghi will take charge of Iran’s Defence Ministry at a sensitive time for the country, following months of military confrontation and heightened regional tensions.
The parliamentary confidence vote will determine whether he formally assumes the defence portfolio.
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